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How to Ride

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Welcome aboard RTA! If you're new to our system, kick back and enjoy, much like you would do on one of our buses or trains, and let this page explain how simple it is to use our system.

To plan your trip, you can use a few different methods:

Google Transit offers automated trip planning. All you need to do is enter the starting and ending points of your trip, and what day and time you would like to arrive or depart.

If you're a do-it-yourself kind of person, get a copy of the system map, and then:

Locate the route number closest to your starting point.

Locate the route number closest to your destination.

Look at a timetable/schedule specific to the route number(s) you need, and figure out what time the bus/rapid will reach your starting point. To understand how to read a timetable

if the starting and ending route numbers are different, you will need to transfer. All 5-trip farecards include 2-1/2 hour transfer privileges, and time-based (All-Day, 7-Day, Monthly) farecards allow for unlimited usage during the time period. If you are paying cash, you will have to pay full fare on each bus or train you ride, and you must have exact change. Operators do not make change.

If you need assistance, call the RTAnswerline at 216-621-9500. It is staffed Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. An RTA staffer will answer your questions. Be prepared to provide them with the address of your current location and the address of your destination.

Once you have a plan worked out, just follow these simple steps:

If you're using the bus, look for the round target symbol (Figure 1) to locate a stop. Some stops may also have route numbers listed on the sign (Figure 2).

Figure 1

Figure 2

BUS: When your bus arrives, let it come to a complete stop, and board. Pay your fare with exact change, or swipe your pass or farecard through the farebox.

PROOF OF PAYMENT: The Red Line Rapid and HealthLine BRT on Euclid Avenue use a Proof of Payment system. Be sure you pay your fare before you board. Ticket vending machines (TVMs) are located inside all Red Line Rapid Stations, and all HealthLine stations. Retain your activated farecard or pass until you exit the system.